SafelyYou Taps Joelle Poe to Architect Future of AI in Senior Care

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – May 18, 2026 – In a significant move that underscores the escalating importance of strategic leadership in the booming age-tech sector, SafelyYou has appointed industry veteran Joelle Poe as its new Vice President of Strategy. The announcement positions the AI-powered senior care leader to deepen its competitive edge and accelerate its mission to transform senior living through technology.

Poe will be at the helm of SafelyYou's long-term strategic initiatives, a role critical for a company operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence, healthcare, and a rapidly evolving senior living market. Her responsibilities will involve shaping the company's direction, sharpening its market position, and translating customer insights into tangible product and go-to-market strategies that will define the next frontier of senior care.

A Strategic Hire for a Burgeoning Market

The appointment comes as the market for fall detection and senior care technology is poised for substantial growth. Projections indicate the fall detection system market alone will climb to nearly $857 million by 2035, driven by an aging population and the increasing adoption of automated, AI-driven solutions. SafelyYou, already serving over 950 communities, is looking to solidify its leadership within this expanding landscape.

George Netscher, founder and CEO of SafelyYou, emphasized the strategic importance of this hire. “I can’t think of a more respected, thoughtful, or influential person for this role. Joelle is the perfect fit, and we are so very grateful to have her,” he stated. “She shares my deep commitment to the industry and vision for how technology can support senior housing operators to serve their teams and their residents in ways we previously didn’t even think were possible. I’m beyond excited to have her help develop the strategy to get us there.”

Netscher’s enthusiasm highlights a key trend in the competitive age-tech space: the “talent war.” Attracting top-tier executives like Poe is seen as a powerful indicator of a company's growth trajectory and investor confidence. Her appointment signals that SafelyYou is not just consolidating its current success but is aggressively planning for future innovation and market dominance.

The Architect of Age-Tech's Next Chapter

Joelle Poe brings over 18 years of multifaceted experience in product and technology, with a rich background that spans age-tech, healthcare, hospitality, and senior living. This diverse expertise makes her uniquely qualified to navigate the complex challenges and opportunities ahead. Prior to joining SafelyYou, Poe founded Centered Care, a technology-enabled care model designed specifically for the senior living industry. She also served as Chief Product Officer at SkyPoint and led digital transformation and population health analytics platforms for large insurance plans.

Her deep industry involvement is further evidenced by her role as a member of the NIC Future Leaders Council and as Chair of the NIC Partnering for Health Committee. This background provides her with a holistic view of the ecosystem, from the operational realities of care providers to the strategic imperatives of payers and technology developers.

Poe expressed her excitement about the new role and the current state of the industry. “I’m thrilled to join SafelyYou at this incredibly exciting time for the company, as well as this critical moment for senior living,” she said. “The industry is evolving to meet the needs of a changing consumer; and we have technology solutions like SafelyYou that can add real value and drive real change for the industry.”

Her approach to strategy is grounded in a philosophy of deep engagement. “I see strategy as starting with deep listening: knowing our customers' realities, understanding where the market is headed, and making sure every decision we make is grounded in that perspective,” Poe added. This customer-centric vision is crucial for a company that boasts a 71.4 NPS score and aims to build on that earned trust.

Beyond Fall Detection: The Evolution of Person-Centered AI Care

While SafelyYou is widely recognized for its AI-powered fall detection, the company's impact extends far beyond simple alerts. Its platform represents a comprehensive evolution toward truly person-centered care, integrating sophisticated AI, industry-specific hardware, and the expertise of remote clinicians. This combination is delivering measurable and profound results for senior living communities.

Peer-reviewed research and extensive case studies validate the platform's efficacy. Data shows that communities using SafelyYou have achieved up to a 40% reduction in falls and an 80% reduction in fall-related ER visits. A study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found the technology reduced the time residents spent on the ground after a fall by nearly 30 minutes. These improvements in immediate care have significant long-term consequences.

By mitigating the risks associated with falls, SafelyYou helps residents maintain their health and independence for longer. This translates directly to improved financial outcomes for operators. Studies have shown the technology can increase a resident's length of stay by an average of more than four months and improve resident retention by nearly 50% at the 90-day mark. For a typical community, this can lead to an annual Net Operating Income (NOI) increase of 20%, saving operators an estimated $1.0 million over five years.

Navigating a New Era of Consumer Expectations

Poe’s appointment is timed perfectly to address the shifting demands of the senior living consumer. The incoming generation of residents, primarily tech-savvy Baby Boomers, has high expectations. They anticipate the same level of seamless, integrated technology in their living communities that they use in their daily lives. They are looking for proactive, personalized care solutions, not just reactive safety nets.

SafelyYou’s strategy, now under Poe's guidance, must navigate this new consumer narrative while continuing to provide clear value to operators. This involves not only enhancing the core product but also expanding partnerships and refining marketing to articulate the platform's full value proposition. The company's recognition in the Senate Falls Report (2019) and on Fortune’s Impact 20 list provides a strong foundation for this effort.

The broader trend in senior living is a move away from siloed solutions toward integrated platforms that enhance safety, promote wellness, and streamline operations. With Poe's strategic vision, SafelyYou is well-equipped to lead this charge, ensuring that the promise of AI in senior care is realized in a way that is both technologically advanced and deeply human.